Monthly Challenge

Well, after reading posts, and getting emails, I have come to a conclusion that there are other people on cakecentral that need an extra boost on decorating.....me for one. I planted a seed that gave us more of a reason to decorate/practice. I first suggested a weekly challenge that anyone interested in doing this make a cake, batch of cookies etc, a week and post it somewhere and then we could vote on which one is the best, but it was waistlines that came into thought, so thats how we came up with monthly.So could we do a monthly challenge? If you want to do a contest like the holiday one in the past that could be the special theme one for that month. This isnt to make cakes go up against another, just to get up practicing, and being accountable for it. Once a month challenge thats it, whatcha think?

Well, after reading posts, and getting emails, I have come to a conclusion that there are other people on cakecentral that need an extra boost on decorating.....me for one. I planted a seed that gave us more of a reason to decorate/practice. I first suggested a weekly challenge that anyone interested in doing this make a cake, batch of cookies etc, a week and post it somewhere and then we could vote on which one is the best, but it was waistlines that came into thought, so thats how we came up with monthly.So could we do a monthly challenge? If you want to do a contest like the holiday one in the past that could be the special theme one for that month. This isnt to make cakes go up against another, just to get up practicing, and being accountable for it. Once a month challenge thats it, whatcha think?

For those of you that want to pratice and dont want to make a cake you can get some foam dummys from the cake supplie stores they are a bit pricey or you can go to your craft store and just get reg foam and you can put your icing on there and then do your decorating and then when your done looking at it you run it under hot water and the icing melts off and let the foam dry and start all over again.. This way your not eating cake ever week.. I know some of you said something about the hip line... LOL ..

missyb.....the way Jackie put it, she would do different levels.... you can put your cakes in beginner, or intermediate whatever you feel you work in? Speaking of that.....JACKIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how would you pick what you are? I mean I may have been doing this for a while, but I feel I'm at a high beginner-low intermediate......Also, since Jackie said she was working on this.... I guess we start when she says go or what????? I second the spring theme, but I am up to almost anything!

Just throwing out a possibility here....we could have a "technique of the month"....IOW - April's contest would be Royal Icing flowers...May could be fondant figure modeling, June could be gumpaste, etc....

I was just thinking that if the monthly challenge had something to do with learning/practicing a technique then it would force some of us who have bought the stuff but haven't had a chance to actually DO anything a reason to learn/practice.

I also like the idea of beginner/intermediate/advanced.....don't think I want to go up against some of you ladies YET <grin>

Hi, guys! I would love to do the monthly thing, since I haven't been practicing as much as I'd like. But my only problem is that I can't get all of the supplies I might need to contend in this thing. I even drove to Wurzburg (2 hrs away) today and still couldn't find gumpaste, some tips I needed, etc . I think that this is a great idea, but i don't think that I will be able to join in. And besides, since I am self taught, I haven't made alot of the things you all have-like some of the flowers and such. But it is going to be so much fun watching and learning from the rest of you. Good luck and have fun!!Tanya

Now Tanya....I too am in the middle of no where and cant get alot of these things...but if they do a monthly technique, whatever, if you can participate in it then do so, I will, I wont be able to do all I am sure because of the lack of supplies, it wont be a do all or do nothing thing I am sure..... I think you, stuttgartkim, Diane, tcrema, and myself can do what we can...we are all in a place that isnt easy to find alot of stuff, but we can still try. Say you will.....

Okay, okay!! You talked me into it. Not that it was going to take that much to make me say yes . I just hate not being able to get some of the things that i truly want to make my decorating come to top form. Everything that has to do with this site is so much fun to me. I love just chatting with everyone all the time. You all are the best bunch of people that I have ever "known"!! I hope that we continue to support and push one another into greater things with this decorating gig of ours!!Happy Baking!!Tanya

Count me in too! And, you gals in Germany, don't think just becusse I live in the states it's any easier getting supplies.....the nearest large town is a good two hour drive and it's not that big a town but has more than we do here. We can all just do what we can, and what we can't, we can enjoy seeing the creations of everyone else. This will be so much fun!

Don't worry. I have never done gumpase either, and have only made royal flowers a couple of times. I have made a rose out of fondant..and have made some animals out of it (by trial and error), so am really inexperienced at those techniques too, but I am looking forward to the challenge. Since I cannot seem to find a gumpaste class here, I will be self-taught at this technique too.

I was wondering how many of you are going to do the mothers day cake contest..... I am thinking yes for sure!!!!

I don't know if I am or not. My DM birthday is also in May so I usually make her a Mother's Day/Birthday Cake. The cakes don't usually look like a Mother's Day cake. We'll see...if it does, I'll enter it. I am still clueless as to what to make her.

Well, my mother doesn't live anywhere near me.. She's in Florida and I'm in NH. I'm not sure. I will probably participate for the heck of it, though. I can send her a photo of it as a Mother's Day card, I guess.

I haven't done a contest of any kind yet, but am definitely interested, something that might get me up and doing instead of sitting here reading! LOLI've got a couple of ideas for the Mother's Day cake contest, so I guess I'm in too. Janice

I haven't done a contest of any kind yet, but am definitely interested, something that might get me up and doing instead of sitting here reading! LOLI've got a couple of ideas for the Mother's Day cake contest, so I guess I'm in too. Janice

I recall someone listing the categories; beginner ,int. & advance and what that mean...and for all I'd be considered a beginner....And definitely one when It comes to buttercream...Why do you think I haven't posted one yet! I could definitely use the practice...

And following LadyCakes suggestion for the dummys, you can also use a practice buttercream icing thats in the wilton books...Cheap and you can also reuse it...well ofcourse, I figure just whatever is white....or hey, maybe you'll be the creator of a new color when you mix em' all

I just came back from reading another thread and Im editing....Someone mentioned that they were intimidated by the cake that the winner made in the holiday contest I believe...the fondant snow-flake cake...

I think that when issuing the rules of the game, it should be limited to either regular icing or fondant...That way we're all on the same page and no one feels discouraged because they're uncomfortable working with fondant just yet. Fondant allows you to do more, where icing limits you a bit. Just a thought that may encourage more to participate....Donno...What you you guys think???